US President Donald Trump has cancelled a planned visit to Pakistan by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who were expected to explore indirect talks with Iran. The negotiations remain deadlocked over issues including the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

"If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, signaling that Washington would not send negotiators to Pakistan for now. Pakistan has been mediating between the longtime adversaries.

With neither Washington nor Tehran showing willingness to soften positions, prospects for a diplomatic breakthrough in the US-Israeli war on Iran remain stalled. The conflict has spilled into the wider Middle East, including Lebanon, causing the worst global energy crisis since the 1970s.

Trump told reporters in Florida he scrapped the envoys' visit because the talks involved too much travel and expense to consider an inadequate offer from Iran. After the trip was called off, Iran "offered a lot, but not enough," Trump said.

In Tehran, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated that his government will not enter negotiations while the US maintains a blockade on Iranian ports. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held meetings with Pakistan's military leadership, discussing regional dynamics and Iran's non-negotiable positions.

Despite hardening public positions, Pakistan's political and military leadership continues to mediate. Two Pakistani officials described the indirect ceasefire contacts as still alive but fragile. No immediate plans for US envoys to return for talks were reported.

The US-Iran ceasefire began on April 8 after nearly six weeks of strikes. Trump extended the ceasefire without a set deadline, but both sides continue to accuse each other of violations. Key disputes include the Strait of Hormuz blockade and Iran's enriched uranium stockpile.

Source: www.aljazeera.com